Nearly Perfect

The drive from Denver to Taos couldn’t have been easier; or, legally faster. Just 4-1/2 hours after pulling out of the driveway we were pulling into Orlando’s parking lot for lunch in Taos. This is a personal favorite for great Northern New Mexico cuisine. Watch for an Orlando’s blog tomorrow.

We rented an adobe casita, Casa de Las Abuelas, for the week sight unseen. No disappointments here, I already know I won’t want to leave at the end of the week. A detailed blog will follow soon.

After an orientation for the Stephen Kilborn painting workshop Bob’s attending this week we joined friends Dolores and Orrel for dinner at Doc Martins in the Taos Inn.

The day’s been a nearly perfect start to a much anticipated week. After a rather difficult summer I’m not even going to feel guilty as I unwind, rest, dine and seek the perfect margarita.

Bird 1 – Denver Bound Passengers 0

The bags got packed, the condo cleaned, the rental car returned without mishap, flight check-in completed, security cleared, lunch enjoyed, time for boarding – no action. We begin to wonder and get antsy. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is an update on Frontier flight #387 to Denver. On the inbound flight the plane had a bird strike in the #2 engine.” A half hour later we note the flight crew deplaning. Not a reassuring sign we’ll be going anywhere.

We soon learn the flight has been cancelled for today and will be rescheduled for tomorrow morning. The lack of an organized plan and leadership is soon evident. Fortunately this isn’t a big deal for us, we don’t HAVE to be home today no matter how much we were looking forward to our own beds.

It takes a couple of hours for the airline to deal with those who feel they absolutely must get to Denver NOW. Those of us from out of state will be put up in a hotel. After much confusion about hotel shuttles and assignments we arrive at a Holiday Inn Express. They have a bit of confusion with check-in procedure but finally we have a room. Phone calls home, a walk to the local grocery and liquor store, and a delivered pizza and Greek salad ease the disappointment

Wooden Boat Show – Grand Lake, July 11. Enjoy the craftsmanship of historical boat building and see the classics.

Cattlemen’s Days – Gunnison, June 10-19. Colorado’s oldest and longest running rodeo and horseshows. More than a week of dances, horse racing, parade, carnival and BBQ in addition to rodeos and livestock shows.

Snowmass SkateMass – Snowmass village, July 11. Skateboard event and competition at the new Snowmass village Skate Park.

Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park – Steamboat Springs, July 11-12. Over 40 balloons launch each morning during the 29th annual balloon rodeo at Bald Eagle Lake. The 35th annual summer art show in Lincoln Park is Steamboats largest art and craft festival.

Eating for Comfort and Friendship

The day started with breakfast at John G’s on the Beach – my sister’s favorite breakfast place in the world. Polish omelet for her, stuffed croissant of me. We fill to go boxes with half of everything, except the fruit cup, before we start eating. Monday morning in July is a great time for John G’s without having to wait in their famed lines.

Sailfish Marina on Singer Island was our dinner destination with friend Janet. It took us forever to make our menu selections because we have so many favorites. Judy and I start with salads. She selects appetizer portion of Caribbean jerk seared scallops, I choose coconut shrimp. We order the penne gorgonzola for the table to share. Janet decides on the beer battered fish and chips with sweet potato fires and sautéed fresh veggies.

Our server was astute in bringing extra plates, spoons, napkins, new glasses of ice tea, boxing and identifying our four boxes of leftovers. We all shared a slice of mango pie for dessert.

No trip to Sailfish is complete without a walk through the shop. The 50% off Fourth of July sale offered additional temptation. The setting and landscaping at Sailfish always attracts – one of our favorite Palm Beach County locations.